Bakers increase 50 per cent price of Kashmiri roti

Srinagar, Nov 6 : After observing a day's strike, bakers in Kashmir increased the prices of Kashmiri roti by 50 per cent today.

No approval was taken from the administration before the price-rise in rotis.

The bakers went on a day-long strike yesterday demanding increase in the prices of Kashmiri roti, alleging that the prices of flour and other ingredients has increased many folds.

This morning, some of the bakery shops resumed their work after increasing the cost of roti to Rs 3 from Rs 2.

However, in some down town areas the increase was hundred per cent, people alleged.

Mohammad Ashraf, a daily labourer earning Rs 150 per day, said he has to purchase Kashmiri roti for Rs 40 for his six-member family, that too if a member eats only one roti each in the morning and afternoon.

He, however, admitted that a ten kg bag of atta, which was being sold at the rate of Rs 155 only a few weeks ago, now costs Rs 195-200.

A housewife, Hassina expressed her anguish and surprise over the jump of 50 per cent in roti price in one go. ''Earlier, we were purchasing 12 Kashmiri rotis for Rs 20 and today I got just seven rotis for Rs 30,'' she complained.

She suggested that the government should give atta to these bakers on the rates being provided to other consumers by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department so that lower and middle class people were benefited.

Criticising the administration, she said the officials responsible for price control did nothing when the prices of milk were increased.

While the prices of a roti in uptown, including Natipora was Rs 3, after an increase of 50 per cent, a roti was being sold at Rs 4, an increase of 100 per cent in the down town, including Rainawari.

However, the bakers justified the increase saying the prices of ingredients being used in the bakery items had increased many folds.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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